Affordable Speed Demons

Looking for a speedy car that won’t empty your wallet? Incredibly, Chevy offers two models for under 30K that can more than produce some speed.  The Chevy Camaro starts at $23,880. Its 3.6-liter V6 gets 304 horsepower, which translates into a price/HP of $73.17. With design cues evocative of the legendary 1969 model, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro combines the spirit of the classic American muscle car with the fuel efficiency, safety, handling, technology and build quality expected in a modern performance coupe. Its 304 horsepower is not only more than the 1967 Camaro SS (295 hp from a 350-cubic-inch V8), but more than last year’s Mustang GT with a 4.6-liter dohc V8.The Camaro LT accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds, and will do the quarter mile in 14.4 seconds, which is hot in anyone’s book. The Chevy Camaro succeeds on all the main fronts: drop-dead gorgeous looks, potent and efficient engines borrowed from Cadillac and Corvette, great transmissions, superb handling and ride, and great prices.

The Chevy Cobalt SS has a starting price of $23, 425, and with its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine it gets a horsepower of 260.  This translates into a price/HP of $90.10.  The Cobalt SS has a fuel economy of 30 mpg Hwy/22 mpg City. The Cobalt SS is distinguished by its front fascia with integrated air dam and projector-beam fog lights. Upper and lower grilles both sport a specific diamond-mesh texture. Rocker extensions are also unique to the SS, and a rear deck-lid spoiler is standard. Cobalt SS coupe and sedan comes with upgraded suspension and brakes, sport seats with suede-like inserts, additional gauges, fog lamps, and spoilers and air dams all around. A heavy-duty five-speed is the only transmission offered. Chevrolet claims a quick 0-60 time of approximately 5.7 seconds. Front brakes are from Brembo and have a performance-oriented fixed-caliper design, which resists fade better than floating calipers.